Project administrator jobs in north tyneside, tyne and wear

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

We seek to raise standards of care through our numerous campaigns and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers, who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch

The RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is specialised in the rehoming of small animals including cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs and hamsters. The animals come into our care from various sources such as those which are rescued, abandoned, neglected or given up by their owners. Each animal is medically and characteristically assessed to ensure it is fit and well before being available for rehoming. This all costs money, and could not be achieved without your support. 

Job Summary

This role is responsible for the development, implementation and operation of appropriate financial and business management tools to support the day-to-day business and financial administration of the Branch.

Reporting to and working closely with the Chief Executive Office (CEO), you will be expected to make use of the full capability of the Branch’s existing software systems (Google Workspace, and Quick Books) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and develop management information to aid the Trustees & CEO in decision making.

You will be responsible for all financial management across the charity. This includes bookkeeping; financial statements; financial planning; financial policies, processes and controls and budgeting. 

You must ensure that all activities are carried out in compliance with current legislation, Branch and Society policy, relevant Health & Safety regulations and any associated statutory or legislative requirements.

Note: Branch targets and budgets are agreed on an annual basis and these will inform the personal targets agreed at the annual performance review. Progress towards personal targets will be reviewed at regular one-to-one meetings with your line manager.

This role is home based, with occasional travel across South Bucks.

Principal Accountabilities

Financial Management & Operations

• Support the CEO as a key strategic and operational partner, acting as second-in-command and deputising in their absence where appropriate.

• Maintain all financial records and accounting systems (the Branch currently uses Quick Books accounting software), registers and statistics as required by the CEO & Branch Trustees.

• Work with the CEO and Branch Trustees to develop financial plans and an annual financial budget.

• Maintain close oversight of the branch’s budget in collaboration with the CEO, proactively identifying and addressing any discrepancies, overspend, or unplanned financial activity to ensure effective financial control and informed decision-making.

• Process, monitor, record and manage all receipts & payments to/from the Branch in accordance with the agreed procedures and in liaison with the appropriate staff and volunteers including weekly banking, cash handling, invoice creation and processing, Branch payments (including those made via credit cards and petty cash) and account reconciliation.

• Monitor, review and reconcile monthly receipts & payments on the Quick Books accounting system.

• Produce monthly management accounts which include bank reconciliations, balance sheets, Branch/departmental profit & loss statements, departmental comparisons and performance against budget and such other financial reports/management information as may be required including monthly reporting to the board of trustees.

• Coordinate bank accounts across the charity, including set-up and balance management.

• Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns.

• Prepare annual financial statements and coordination of annual audit review.

• Support the staff and volunteers with day-to-day financial operations and ensuring departmental financial records are maintained and that monies received or expended are accounted for correctly.

• Work with the RSPCA Society National team regarding legacies, submission of care contribution funds, renewals of insurances etc.

• Ensure that strict protocols are followed for cash handling and that unbanked cash remains within the insured limit for cash held at each premises.

• Liaise with the Branch’s payroll provider to ensure staff hours are submitted and salary payments processed on a monthly basis and within the appropriate timescale.

• Process all staff and volunteer expenses in a timely manner.

• Manage all bookkeeping processes and functions, including the asset register, ensuring annual accounts are produced no later than the end of March each year.

• Develop, implement and maintain appropriate financial administrative procedures and processes.

Business Administration

• Responsible for day-to-day financial administrative support for the CEO and Trustees.

• Ensure that all administrative paperwork, including external correspondence is processed in accordance with Branch and Society procedures, including completion of all appropriate records for insurance and risk management purposes.

• Ensure financial data processing, retention and destruction conforms to the relevant policies such as GDPR.

• Ensure regulatory and legislative compliance of financial charity policies.

• Work closely with relevant operational staff to ensure appropriate responses are issued to all enquiries whether from members, supporters & volunteers, RSPCA colleagues or the general public.

• Liaise with staff and volunteers to facilitate the ordering of materials, supplies and equipment for the effective operation of the Branch, ensuring budgetary controls are maintained at all times.

• Work with the CEO and other staff to manage relevant licences, vendor relationships, service agreements and invoicing.

• Work with staff and volunteers across the whole charity on financial processes and controls.

Fundraising & Donations

• Identify, assess, and apply for appropriate grants and funding streams to maximise income for the branch, ensuring applications are timely, well-prepared, and aligned with funder criteria to support the branch’s strategic and operational objectives.

• Ensure that all donations (financial or otherwise) are acknowledged in a timely manner, receipts are issued for financial donations and the banking of all funds raised.

• Responsible for the accurate recording and banking of the funds raised.

• Develop, and manage relationships across relevant stakeholder groups, both within and outside the charity.

Gift Aid

• Ownership of the Gift Aid process.

General

• Attend meetings and training courses as required.

• Undertake such other duties as directed from time-to-time by your line manager.

Essential skills, qualifications and experience:

• A finance qualification or working towards level 3 AAT or ACCA with proven experience in charity financial operations.

• Good general level of education.

• Strong experience in financial reporting, budgeting and compliance.

• Demonstrable experience of managing small to medium size budgets (circa £400,000) & accounting systems (ideally with experience of Quick Books software).

• Proven experience of cash handling and financial management procedures. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines, be proactive and work autonomously.

• Proven IT literacy including use of business software and accounting packages (including Quickbooks), and Google Workspace.

• Strong numeracy and analytical skills.

• Experience supporting audits and implementing robust financial controls.

• Knowledge of Charity and Company Law.

• Proven ability to work under direction from superiors but equally able to use their own initiative.

• Proven ability to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines.

• Proven ability to complete essential management paperwork and analyse data.

• Personable and with an open, positive approach to new ideas coupled with drive and enthusiasm.

• A flexible and collaborative approach to colleagues both staff and volunteers.

• Honest, trustworthy and reliable.

• A calm and friendly approach particularly when working under pressure.

• Sympathy for animal welfare and the work of the RSPCA.

• Full valid UK driving licence.

• Willing and able to travel around the Branch area on occasions.

Desirable skills, qualifications and experience:

• Experience of management & leadership.

• Training, coaching & mentoring skills.

• Experience of working with the general public and/or in a customer care environment.

• Experience of managing change in the workplace.

• Experience of managing small projects.

• Good basic knowledge of employment law.

• Knowledge of data protection requirements.

• Willingness to learn and acquire new skills through training.

We promote an inclusive working environment in which diversity is recognised, valued, and encouraged. We acknowledge the multi-cultural and diverse nature of the UK workforce and society in general. We are committed to principles of fairness and mutual respect where everyone accepts the concept of individual responsibility. 

The Charity and The Vision.    

Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting military children and young people (0 to 25 years) who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. Founded in 2010 by Nikki Scott following the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, the charity offers a unique blend of emotional, practical, and educational support to over 700 young people, and we have big ambitions to support over 1,000 children annually by 2030.    

We are proud of our vibrant, non-traditional culture, which puts the needs of bereaved children and young people at the heart of everything we do. We embrace innovative approaches, are committed to creating smiles and believe in the power of community, resilience, and connection.    

Role Mission.  

At Scotty's, we believe every bereaved military child deserves our support. As Head of Grants, your role is to secure and manage major, long-term grant funding, maintain strong relationships with funders, and report on our impact to encourage continued support.  

I am accountable for…  

• Strategic Grant Income Growth: Developing and delivering an ambitious pipeline of grants income that not only meets but exceeds our annual agreed income budgets. Securing those multi-year, high-value grants that fuel the long-term sustainability of the charity's strategic growth and allow us to reach more families.  

• Grant Funder Relationships: Cultivating and expanding deep, long-term, and genuinely mutually beneficial relationships with a diverse portfolio of military and non-military grant-making organisations.   

• Grant Portfolio Management: Overseeing the lifecycle of all awarded grants, ensuring reporting, optimal allocation and tracking of funds (balancing restricted and unrestricted to best serve our families), and administrative oversight to maintain high standards of compliance and transparency which our funders expect and deserve.  

• Impactful Storytelling and Application Development: Translating Scotty's heartfelt mission and profound impact into compelling, donor-centric narratives and high-quality proposals that truly stand out from the crowd. We want to demonstrate our social value and inspire significant, transformative investment.  

• Best practice grant management: Championing the very best practices in grant fundraising, positioning Scotty's as a charity of choice for major grant-makers.  

• Financial Stewardship & Forecasting: Providing regular, insightful forecasting of our grants pipeline (using Salesforce) and working with the Finance Team to ensure funds are being correctly used and logged - so we always know where we stand.  

I am responsible for:  

• Grant Strategy & Planning: Developing and implementing the grants strategy with a comprehensive, rolling programme of grant applications that are perfectly aligned with our charity’s strategic plans and agreed annual budget. We'll be focusing on securing those larger, transformative grants that make a real difference to starting each year with a higher percentage of funding already secured.  

• Funder Research & Identification: Proactively researching and identifying new, high-potential funding opportunities that truly resonate with Scotty's mission and strategic priorities. This means using industry best practices and relationship building to find our perfect partners.  

• Proposal Development & Submission: Leading the end-to-end development of high-quality, persuasive grant applications. This involves crafting compelling narratives from the heart, developing robust budgets factoring in overheads, and ensuring timely submission.   

• Relationship Management & Stewardship: Building and nurturing strong, long-term relationships with both our existing and prospective funders. This means regular, personalised communication, sharing impactful updates and acting as a Scotty’s ambassador at funder events and meetings.  

• Grant Management & Reporting: Meticulously managing all stages of awarded grants, including careful financial tracking (using Salesforce), ensuring we always adhere to grant agreements, and compiling comprehensive, insightful end-of-project reports that truly demonstrate our impact and foster continued support.  

• Internal Collaboration: Working closely with our Families team, Finance Team, Comms Team and Fundraising Team to identify funding needs, gather powerful impact data, and ensure seamless delivery and awareness of all grant-funded activities. We work to weekly transparent Success Measures (3 key agreed metrics which help show we’ve had a great week and give leading and lagging indicators on how we’re doing), monthly and quarterly budget targets and short, daily and weekly team huddles to share good news, keep our culture forefront and ensure we can best support each other and deliver for the charity.  

• Pipeline Management & Forecasting: Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of grant opportunities, regularly tracking progress, and providing accurate forecasting to help us make smart, strategic decisions for our future.   

• Data Management: Ensuring all grant funding information, relationships, and communications are accurately inputted and updated on our charity’s CRM database (Salesforce). Keeping things tidy and organised is key for good governance.  

• Grants landscape: Staying abreast of the trends and developments in the grants and trusts sector, identifying new approaches and opportunities to enhance Scotty's fundraising efforts and keep us ahead of the curve.  

• Team Support: Providing a helping hand with administrative support to other areas of the charity if required. We're all good team players here at Scotty's, and we always support each other.  

3-Month Goals:  

• Onboarding & Immersion: Dive deep and achieve a comprehensive understanding of Scotty’s operating system (The Scotty’s OS), our values, our behaviours, our mission, and the significant impact we have. This will happen through intro meetings with everyone on the team and a tailored onboarding program.  

• Grant Portfolio Audit & Handover: Conduct an audit of our existing grant portfolio, reviewing active grants, reporting schedules, and our funder relationships. We'll begin the handover process for existing relationships with the Head of Fundraising, ensuring a smooth transition.  

• Funder Engagement & Feedback: Reach out and initiate contact with at least 5 key existing funders. This is about listening, gathering their valuable feedback, understanding their priorities, and beginning to build those personal, trusting rapports.  

• Pipeline Initiation: Identify and qualify a minimum of 5 new potential grant-making organisations. We'll prioritise those who truly align with Scotty's mission and have the capacity for significant, multi-year funding – our future partners.  

6-Month Goals:  

• Income Target Ownership: Take full, enthusiastic ownership of ensuring we are on track to hit our existing grant budget lines. You'll provide regular and accurate forecasting, keeping us all informed and confident.  

• Relationship Deepening: Strengthen relationships with at least 5 key funders, leading to demonstrable progress towards increased or renewed multi-year support.  

• New Grant Acquisition: Secure at least 2 new grants of significant value (e.g. £10k+) from previously untapped funders, showcasing your success in converting those pipeline opportunities into real impact.  

• Strategic Grant Mapping: Develop a comprehensive grant funding strategy, outlining key target areas, funder tiers, and a detailed timeline for our major applications for the next 12-18 months.   

• Impact Reporting Enhancement: Collaborate internally to refine and enhance our reporting mechanisms. We want to ensure our data is readily available and tells the most compelling story for our funder reports.  

9-Month Goals:  

• Multi-Year Grant Success: Secure at least one new multi-year grant partnership with an annual income of £50k+, truly demonstrating your ability to unlock larger, sustained funding that makes a lasting difference.  

• Pipeline Expansion & Value: Add £100k+ of new, qualified grant fundraising opportunities to our pipeline each month, always with a keen eye on those high-value prospects.  

• Income Exceedance: Be on track to exceed the annual grant fundraising target, demonstrating strong performance and strategic growth that helps more bereaved military families.  

• Innovation & Best Practice: Introduce at least one innovative approach or best practice (e.g. involving AI) to our grant fundraising strategy. This could be a new, heartwarming cultivation event, a bespoke reporting format, or a new research methodology – anything that helps us grow.  

• Personal Development & Leadership: Review your personal development needs and opportunities, actively seeking ways to enhance your leadership in the grants sector and contribute to the wider fundraising team's success. We believe in growing together.  

Essential Criteria  

• Proven experience in charity grant management.  

• Strategic planning: Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate grant strategies that align with the charity’s mission and objectives.  

• Financial acumen: Competence in budgeting, financial monitoring, and reporting for grant programmes.  

• Stakeholder engagement: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with funders, beneficiaries, partners, and internal teams.  

• Analytical and decision-making ability: Skilled in assessing applications, monitoring outcomes, and making evidence-based decisions.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication: Ability to produce clear reports, guidance, and correspondence tailored to a variety of audiences.  

• Organisational skills: Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.  

Desirable Criteria  

• Sector-specific experience: Prior work within children’s bereavement, military-related charities, or with vulnerable children and families.  

• Evaluation and impact measurement: Familiarity with monitoring and evaluating the impact of grant programmes, including data analysis and reporting.  

• Policy development: Experience in developing or reviewing grant-making policies and procedures.  

• Public speaking: Confident in representing the charity at external events, conferences, or media opportunities.  

Additional Information  

• The role may require occasional evening or weekend work  

• Enhanced DBS check required  

• Travel will be required to events and team training days  

The Scotty’s Way  

At Scotty’s, our personal performance is only 50% of what success looks like. Our culture is equally important. When you join our team, you sign up to The Scotty’s Way, rooted in our four core values:   

1. Families Come First  

1. Everyone a Supporter, Every Supporter a VIP  

1. Love What You Do  

1. Remember, Every Day  

Our values are further supported by our four non-negotiable behaviours of Show Respect, Speak Up, Take Ownership and Actively Collaborate. We are looking for an individual who embodies these values and behaviours.  

Thank you for your interest in joining our team, we are an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with respect and given equal opportunities for employment and advancement.   

We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.   

We encourage all qualified individuals to apply for employment within our charity, and we provide a fair and inclusive recruitment process for all candidates.